January 2013 Discounts

[ncbunnie]

Does anyone have any insight as to rates for the end of January-early February versus end of February-early March? We were leaning toward the January dates but my dad has a conference in the area late Feb. and though crowd calendars appear to be close to the same (maybe a little heavier), I'm curious about discounts- free dining is the only way we go! We've traditionally been December people but this go around we'd like to celebrate my daughter's birthday in January and take my mom along as well.

Another question- is there any way that we could make it work to do a package for the 4 of us who will be doing parks/dining, etc, and just make my dad an in-room add on? He would be in conferences off-property all day while we were there and it doesn't make sense to add him on but we'd all like to stay on property. Does anybody have any experience doing something like that? (having a person stay in the room who does not visit parks/do the dining plan/etc on a package)

 

[BlovesC]

Hoping for decent AP rates for January also! We stay every year for my birthday, which falls around MLK day, and I've never NOT gotten an AP discount. I realize they're lowering the discount amounts, but I'd really like something. But we're hoping to try AoA and that might not even be included in the AP discounts yet, right? If there's no discount, we'll definitely just book a LM room. But darnit, I'm an AP holder, Disney Visa owner, and FL resident...the odds would indicate I'd get SOME sort of discount!

 

[CherylA]

Does anyone have any insight as to rates for the end of January-early February versus end of February-early March? We were leaning toward the January dates but my dad has a conference in the area late Feb. and though crowd calendars appear to be close to the same (maybe a little heavier), I'm curious about discounts- free dining is the only way we go! We've traditionally been December people but this go around we'd like to celebrate my daughter's birthday in January and take my mom along as well.

Another question- is there any way that we could make it work to do a package for the 4 of us who will be doing parks/dining, etc, and just make my dad an in-room add on? He would be in conferences off-property all day while we were there and it doesn't make sense to add him on but we'd all like to stay on property. Does anybody have any experience doing something like that? (having a person stay in the room who does not visit parks/do the dining plan/etc on a package)

From this years rates at the all stars Jan16th - Feb 17th weekdays $84/ weekends $94

Feb 26-March 8 Weekday $107/ weekend $127

So I'd say late Jan early February is definately cheaper.

You can book a package and then your dad can book a room only, thats fine, you can then put on each reservation a request to be placed near the other person's room.

 

[LoveTwoTravel]

It is my understanding that everyone in the room must be on the same package/plan. This may have changed or I may be incorrect. Like the OP stated, your dad could definitely be in his own room near by and it would not be a problem. He just could not be added to your room unless he had the same tickets and dining plan the rest of the room occupants will have.

Does anyone have any insight as to rates for the end of January-early February versus end of February-early March? We were leaning toward the January dates but my dad has a conference in the area late Feb. and though crowd calendars appear to be close to the same (maybe a little heavier), I'm curious about discounts- free dining is the only way we go! We've traditionally been December people but this go around we'd like to celebrate my daughter's birthday in January and take my mom along as well.

Another question- is there any way that we could make it work to do a package for the 4 of us who will be doing parks/dining, etc, and just make my dad an in-room add on? He would be in conferences off-property all day while we were there and it doesn't make sense to add him on but we'd all like to stay on property. Does anybody have any experience doing something like that? (having a person stay in the room who does not visit parks/do the dining plan/etc on a package)

 

[Disneyqueendenmark]

Great! I just saw that the 2013 packages will be avalible online July 11 (maybe it's old news??... I just found out :b )

Btw... Anyone else having trouble booking online? I'm getting an error when I try to pay the deposit... I actually didn't want to book before the free dining dates come out, but I rarely see avalible room at LM at AOA for my dates - so just to be sure, I think I gotta book soon

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

Another marathon FD hopeful we are in Jan 8 - 19th

Last year the free dining didn't start till the Monday after the marathon so we did a room only then the package after. They allowed us to stay in the same room.

Hoping again for free dining for as much of our trip as possible.

Kim

We're going down for the marathon, too! Well, 1/2 marathon, maybe I'll work up to the full next year! 11-19th is our dates. PRAYING for free dining, but any discount would be great. So if (using historic FD info) free dining doesn't start until Monday the 13th, we'd have to get a room only plus park tix for Fri, Sat, Sun, then book the free dining package from Monday-Sat? Sounds like it may negate the savings?? Anxiously awaiting rates so I can crunch numbers!

 

[jenniferma]

Hey Guys-- just wanted to post this really quick. We are going january 15th-21st of next year. I've called twice in the past week to ask a few questions about resort availablity etc and both times I've been lucky to have very friendly CMs. I've been surprised because both of them assured me that although WDW releases their discounts quarterly and the Jan discounts would not be out until September, historically discounts will be available. Today the CM told me that I should remember that usually during that week the resorts are discounted 30% off... !! yea!

I've never had CMs be so reassuring about discounts before hopefully they are both right! We are hoping to repeat our last discount of 40% off (yeah right)... last year we called about November and had a deal at Yacht Club that was $183 a night.. NOW that is what I am dreaming about!!!

have a great day!

 

[CherylA]

What I wouldn't do for $183/night at the Yacht Club! Sounds like free dining is being released up until the end of Dec 2012. I wouldn't be surprised if free dining for January were just around the corner.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

I checked my booking that was for January 2012 and free dining was added August 3. So last summer it was offered at least that early.

 

[CherylA]

I checked my booking that was for January 2012 and free dining was added August 3. So last summer it was offered at least that early.

Wonderful, thanks for that. Hopefully it's the same this year and we see it soon!

 

[SL30]

I am so overwhelmed by all of this. I have room only LM booked. Should I add package on Thursday and then if FD becomes available, will I still be able to switch to a different resort?
Or do I just wait to book package and keep my room only until FD is released?

If FD doesn't apply to LM rooms, will room only discounts exclude LM too?

 

[crazy4tig]

We are booked room only at POR 2 standard rooms for January 2013, there are 9 of us. If FD is offered would we need to upgrade our rooms? And if that's the case will we be able to just move up to Garden view or will we have to do preferred or river view?? Just wondering if I should change my reservation??? Thanks

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

In my opinion, you should book whatever room you want, need and are willing to pay for, discount or not. When/ if Free Dining or other discounts come out, there is usually an allotted number of rooms per resort. You may have to change room types and/or resort to get the discount, you may not. You never know until it's out, unfortunately. Pixie dust to all of us hoping for a good discount!!

 

[CherylA]

We are booked room only at POR 2 standard rooms for January 2013, there are 9 of us. If FD is offered would we need to upgrade our rooms? And if that's the case will we be able to just move up to Garden view or will we have to do preferred or river view?? Just wondering if I should change my reservation??? Thanks

I wouldn't change your reservation now, just leave it as it is until the discounts for January come out and then you make your decision. Hopefully you will be able to stay with the same rooms you currently have selected and just add on tickets and free dining to make a package, if those exact room types aren't available then you made need to change category but no telling until the discounts are released. Following a thread like this is super helpful because then you can call as soon as discounts for your dates are released and you are more likely to get the resort and room type you want.

 

[CherylA]

I am so overwhelmed by all of this. I have room only LM booked. Should I add package on Thursday and then if FD becomes available, will I still be able to switch to a different resort?
Or do I just wait to book package and keep my room only until FD is released?

If FD doesn't apply to LM rooms, will room only discounts exclude LM too?

You can always add a package on to your room, no need to do it now. I would just keep your LM room only reservation until the discounts for January start to show up, then if there is a discount package that works better for you, you can book that. Right now LM rooms are not included in any discounts, maybe by January that will change but I don't think the odds are good. Room only discounts are an entirely different promotion so if they don't include LM in the free dining (if they offer it) they may still give room only discounts on it, I'm thinking they would wait until very last minute to do that though.

 

[Disneyqueendenmark]

You can always add a package on to your room, no need to do it now. I would just keep your LM room only reservation until the discounts for January start to show up, then if there is a discount package that works better for you, you can book that. Right now LM rooms are not included in any discounts, maybe by January that will change but I don't think the odds are good. Room only discounts are an entirely different promotion so if they don't include LM in the free dining (if they offer it) they may still give room only discounts on it, I'm thinking they would wait until very last minute to do that though.

I was just wondering - is there any discounts out now, where the LM rooms could be included in? (I haven't checked the fall/winter promotions, and if they are out yet or not - I just thought they weren't out, and since the LM rooms open 9/15 or something like that, I just thought that could be why the LM was not included??)

I'm hoping and crossing all I can for FD at a LM room might be naive, but I think I read that the other sections at AOA was included in the summer discounts so naive and all, I'm hoping till the end! Lol
(but hey, many other hotels to choose from if it dosen't happend!... So it will not ruin my trip in any way! Just wan't to check the new resort out )

 

[CherylA]

I was just wondering - is there any discounts out now, where the LM rooms could be included in? (I haven't checked the fall/winter promotions, and if they are out yet or not - I just thought they weren't out, and since the LM rooms open 9/15 or something like that, I just thought that could be why the LM was not included??)

I'm hoping and crossing all I can for FD at a LM room might be naive, but I think I read that the other sections at AOA was included in the summer discounts so naive and all, I'm hoping till the end! Lol
(but hey, many other hotels to choose from if it dosen't happend!... So it will not ruin my trip in any way! Just wan't to check the new resort out )

For the free dining that was just realeased that covers fall and early winter (select dates through end of Dec) LM rooms were excluded. I think through the end of the year you won't see discounts on LM rooms but starting in January, maybe.

 

[Disneyqueendenmark]

For the free dining that was just realeased that covers fall and early winter (select dates through end of Dec) LM rooms were excluded. I think through the end of the year you won't see discounts on LM rooms but starting in January, maybe.

Ahh... Okay thanks! Didn't know that the fall/early winter promotions were out yet...
Thanks for clarifying it for me!!
We'll have to wait and see what happens... Hope the discounts for January come out soon, hopefully August!
But I can see why it's unlikely that LM rooms will be included in FD...

 

[Giselle22]

Heading to Disney World Jan 12-19! My mom and I are actually going to arrive on Jan 10 to run the half marathon, then the rest of the family will be joining later. Hoping for some room discounts for us!

 

[judypriv]

Still waiting. Should I move my res? I booked 12/31 to 1/6 just to get my res in since they weren't booking into January but now they are.